A British national is assisting the South African police with an investigation into the alleged rape of a teenager in Johannesburg, the British high commission in Pretoria confirmed.
A Friday-afternoon edition of a Johannesburg daily newspaper, picking up on a report in a British newspaper, named the man, identifying him as a son of a British diplomat in South Africa.
Commission spokesperson Russ Dixon, however, said that in line with normal consular practice the person would not be named.
”We can confirm that the person has seen a consular official in Cape Town [and that] the person is helping police with the investigation,” Dixon said.
Earlier on Friday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it has not taken a decision on whether to proceed with the case.
NPA spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi said the matter is being considered by the Western Cape Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
”It is a high-profile matter which dictates that it be given special attention but not necessarily preferential treatment,” said Nkosi when asked if the matter has been prioritised by the NPA.
That the matter is now at the NPA to decide whether to proceed with prosecution shows that the preliminary investigations are complete.
However, the scientific evidence gathered in a crime kit, which would include samples of bodily fluids, needs to be sent away for analysis.
This process could take up to 80 days, because of acknowledged backlogs at police laboratories, Nkosi said.
A police source, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the NPA’s final decision will depend on various factors, such as corroborating evidence or witnesses.
”They could possibly provisionally withdraw the matter and sentence the accused to some sort of community service. Also, the victim can decide to withdraw the matter. There are so many things prosecutors will have to consider [before deciding on whether to proceed with prosecution],” said the source.
A 17-year-old girl, on holiday in Cape Town from Johannesburg, reportedly laid the rape charge against the son of a British diplomat.
It is understood that the complainant laid charges against her 21-year-old alleged attacker in the early hours of New Year’s Day after two alleged incidents of rape earlier the evening.
The office of the British consular general in Cape Town said it was not prepared to comment on ”speculative reporting” in local newspapers.
”In line with normal practice for consular confidentiality reasons, we cannot provide any further information about the alleged incident or speculate on whether charges may be brought,” said spokesperson Raziyah Johnston. — Sapa